Dedication of the Vic Powell H’55 Chair
Marion Powell takes a seat in the chair dedicated to her husband—The Vic Powell Chair of Intelligent and Respectful Conversation.
Jon Pactor dedicates The Vic Powell Chair: ’Wabash is full of special people and special places, and the Scarlet Inn is one of those special places on this campus, and Vic Powell and Marion Powell are two of the most special people in the long history of Wabash College.’
’It’s a great honor for me to recognize Vic Powell, a giant of the Wabash faculty, who, like so many of the professors here, still live in me today. It’s my honor to present this chair—I couldn’t afford to endow a real chair, so this is the Vic Powell Chair of Intelligent and Respectful Conversation. I would like to encourage other alums to honor their professors this way.’
Ginny Maharry, archivist Beth Swift, and Kyle Bender ’12 enjoy the ceremony.
’I just want to tell you all how important Vic thought it was to be in here, starting with the Scarlet Inn when it was in South Hall, with those picnic tables. He thought it was important to meet with colleagues. You found out what students and faculty were thinking about, and that was a very important part of the day. He was proud to be an inn-sitter, and now he’s going to have his own special chair. Thank you, Jon, and all of you.’
Marion enjoys this story Jon Pactor told about Vic and Butch Shearer: ’Butch Shearer and Vic Powell were not of the same political philosophy, both had strong opinions and the ability to express them. One day Vic organized the other guys at the table and said—When Butch comes in here, let’s just say that we agree with him. So whenever Butch said something, they’d say—oh, yeah Butch we agree with you. This went on for about two minutes, and Butch got so frustrated that he left. The point to that story is the camaraderie, the sense of humor, and the fact that people at the table did not expect to agree with each other. The point of the conversation was to hear different points of view. There was a lot of intelligent and respectful conversation; vigorous, but intelligent and respectful.’
Professor Rick Warner talks with Tom Keedy ’71
Professor Emeritus Dick Strawn talks with Ginny and Dave Maharry.
The Hardy family, including Professor Jane Hardy and Charles Hardy ’55.
President Pat White enjoys a moment with Marion Powell and her daughter, Carol.
Professors Raymond Williams H’68 and David Hadley
Professor David Blix ’70
Robin Pebworth, Jim Amidon ’8, and Wabash Athletic Director Joe Haklin ’85
While talking with Marion Powell, Irmie McKinney spies the camera.
Chris White talks with Professor Emeritus Dick Strawn
Professor Jim Barnes and Terry Swift
Vic's Speech Department colleague Professor Joe O'Rourke ’65 and Professor Will Turner
Kathleen Novak and Jon Pactor
Professors John Zimmerman ’65 and Joe O'Rourke
Tyler Wade ’12 and Professor and former Wabash Athletic Director Tom Bambrey ’68
Professor Barnes and former Career Services Director Robin Pebworth
A photo of the Scarlet Inn round table, circa 1970
Jon Pactor with the Powell family
Tyler Wade with Vic's daughter, Carol, who told this story: ’When Dad would come home at lunch, the first question was, ’Who was at the Inn, and what did you discuss?’ It wasn’t hello or you’re home, but we’d ask about the things that happened here. That was the way we greeted Daddy.’